Mercedes Unveils the World’s Most Powerful Electric Vehicle

Curious who created the new most powerful production electric car in the world? Well, if you’ve been at this year’s Paris Motor Show, you already know it’s Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker decided to create a car that would look exactly like the regular SLS, but be completely nature friendly and emissions free. Its name? The Mercedes-Benz SLS Electric Drive.

While on the outside there are no obvious differences between the gasoline and the electric models, in terms of powertrain things couldn’t be more different. Instead of the 6.2-liter V8 on the regular SLS, this baby features four synchronous electric motors, with each wheel receiving one. This translates to AWD traction and a total output of 740 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque (more than the regular SLS’s power by 177 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque).

The engineers at Mercedes decided that it would be a good idea to provide direct drive to both axles of the car, so they introduced two independent gearboxes in the SLS Electric Drive. Having three driving modes (comfort, sport and sport plus), the car can reach 62 mph in only 3.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited).

The car itself is made of extremely lightweight materials, such as advanced aluminum and carbon fiber. The engines too are very light, weighin only 99 pounds each. Compensating this weight loss, however, is the huge battery pack, which weighs a staggering 1,208 pounds! But doesn’t stop the car from being totally awesome, and rolling on its 19-inch/20-inch alloy wheels with ease, grace and precision. When the electric SLS will be purchasable next year, it will have a starting price of €416,500 (approx. $540,500).